According to the state Department of Commerce figures, North Carolina’s July 2017 unemployment rate is 0.8 of a percentage point lower than a year ago. The number of people unemployed dropped 7,005 over the month and 39,162 over the year. Total “nonfarm” industry employment that is adjusted for seasonal factors increased by 8,800 to 4,414,400 in July.

“Working people in North Carolina enjoy immense economic opportunity as lower tax rates save families and businesses more of their earnings,” said House Speaker Tim Moore.